Sen. Kennedy Has Seizure

Updated 5:36 p.m.By Paul Kane and Shailagh Murray
Sen. Edward M. Kennedy collapsed during a post-inaugural luncheon with Congress and President Obama, having suffered a seizure doctors said was brought on by "simple fatigue."

Kennedy, who was diagnosed last year with brain cancer, was shaking and convulsing, according to Senate staff who were present at the luncheon. Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Kennedy's wife, Vicki, held the senator as his convulsions took place, before he was taken out of the luncheon in a reclining wheelchair, according to Teresa Heinz Kerry, who sat one table over from Kennedy.

Lawmakers at the lunch said the seizure lasted five to 10 minutes. Sen. Kerry said Kennedy was conscious after leaving the room, before being taken by ambulance to Washington Hospital Center.

"After testing, we believe the incident was brought on by simple fatigue," said Dr. Edward Aulisi, chairman of neurosurgery at Washington Hospital Center, in a statement Tuesday afternoon. "Senator Kennedy is awake, talking with family and friends, and feeling well. He will remain at the Washington Hospital Center overnight for observation, and will be released in the morning."

Hospital spokeswoman Vickie Dempsey said Kennedy's wife and son Patrick are at the hospital with him and that President Obama had called to check on him, but she didn't think Obama had spoken to him directly.

Sen. Ted Kennedy hugged President Obama at the congressional luncheon after Obama's inauguration, then later collapsed at the meal. (Yuri Gripas/Reuters)

Sen. John D. Rockefeller IV (D-W.Va.) described hearing a cough when the Kennedy episode began, followed by a "cough, a silence throughout the room." Rockefeller said Obama "went over immediately to be helpful." He said the lights in the room were dimmed, as a large crowd gathered around Kennedy.

Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) said Kennedy flashed him "an Irish smile" as the Massachusetts Democrat was wheeled out to an ambulance. Hatch told reporters, "I think he's going to be okay, but it's a tough thing."

Sen. Robert C. Byrd (D-W.Va.), who was sitting at the same table with Kennedy, was taken from the room by staff moments before medical personnel arrived to assist Kennedy. Byrd's exit from the room was related to Kennedy's condition and not any medical problems of his own, said Kerry. "He was concerned about what was happening with Senator Kennedy," Kerry told reporters.

Senators said they spoke with Kennedy over the past 24 hours and had no sense anything was amiss. "When I saw him this morning he was in great shape," said Sen John "Jay" Rockefeller III (D-W. Va.).

Obama began his remarks to congressional leaders with somber words for his close friend, whose endorsement a year ago provided a huge lift, following Obama's defeat in the New Hampshire primary. Obama said of Kennedy that his "prayers are with him."

Obama noted that Kennedy was his most prominent early backer, and described how their families had bonded over the campaign.

"Right now a part of me is with him," Obama said. He added later: "This is a joyous time and this is a sobering time."

Obama departed the Capitol about 45 minutes late for his inaugural parade.

2:25 p.m.
President Obama has begun his presidency with the world's ultimate power lunch, the post-swearing-in luncheon for new presidents hosted by congressional leaders in the Capitol's Statuary Hall.

Obama, Vice President Joseph R. Biden, their families, Cabinet nominees, and top advisers are seated with top congressional leaders, two former presidents, three former vice presidents, two unsuccessful presidential nominees and other notable political figures, across 23 tables in a room ringed with statues dedicated to the nation's heroes.

Feinstein is offering guests several different California-based wines.

The seating chart is a Who's Who of power players.

Seated at a head table with the Obamas and Bidens are Feinstein and her husband, Richard Blum; House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and her husband, Paul; and the House and Senate chaplains, Father Coughlin and the Rev. Barry Black.

Table 5 includes a combustible mix of figures -- Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who lost the presidential race to Obama; Rahm Emanuel, the new White House chief of staff; and Ken Salazar, the Interior secretary-designate.

Next to them, at Table 7, is a collection of family and the powerful: Michelle Obama's mother and brother, Treasury Secretary-designate Timothy Geithner, former vice president Al Gore and wife Tipper, as well as Chief Justice John Roberts.

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.), dressed in rodeo gear, paid his respects to Obama as soon as the guests started eating, bowing out early so he could get ready for his appearance in the inaugural parade in which he'll be riding a horse with a Montana float.

Media were then ushered out for the private portion of the meal, which is followed up with a presentation of gifts to the new president from Congress.

Hey jaked,
when you and the rest of the CRACKERS get a fresh refill of swill from right wing hate radio let us know more about your birth certificate and the black helicopters flying over our neighborhoods!!!!!!

I think the fundamental shift in the democratic party and the republican party over the last 10 years is the democratic party now isolates its 15% fringe retards to the sidelines and the republican party celebrates its 15% fringe retards. Just the opposite of the 80's and 90's. The posts on this blog show it clearly

I wandered over here in search of news about Ted Kennedy, but I am not surprised to see the off-topic discussion, especially since Jake is dominating the posts. See him for what he really is at this post:

And, I love how irritated Libertarians get when the law is in question.

I love BIG government and lots of regulation; oversight committees, IG offices, whistleblowers and mass torts against corporations. Mmmmm torts. Can't get enough of 'em. Can we expand the IRS and SEC? I’m sure they could use a few more inspectors in their corporate audit divisions.

I need to put down the laptop and spend some quality time with my son.

I have no problem with Obama's mother being a "natural born" citizen -- she is not the one purporting to take the oath of office today -- as you can see, some people resort to ad hominem personal attacks even though they refuse to answer simple questions. Rahm has other problems from Illinois that he should be worried about.

Here's my olive branch. Rahm Emmanuel served a non-combatent for the Israeli Defence Forces in the early 1990's. As Israel has consistently spied on the US military, should he be denied a Top Secret security clearance and be denied the position of White House Chief of Staff?

It would be nearly impossible for most people with his background to get a CIA clearance.

professor70: JakeD is a troll who from day one for whatever reasons has had it in for Obama, he cannot accept that his candidate lost the election, that Palin is a nit-wit who can't even answer soft-ball questions and that conservatism for the past 8 years has been an abject failure and disaster for the American public, so, he resorts to childish word-play to try and incite others by posting off-topic accusations.

I buy the sovereign territory argument regarding McCain's natural-born citizenship; it's quite valid. Besides, his parents were citizens and that's what matters. I have no issue with McCain's eligibility to become president.

I wonder about JakeD, though. I think deep down inside he'd have to examine it legally. Jake can't seem to accept that Obama's mother was a US citizen from Kansas and had a son and that her son is also a natural born citizen.

Q. Has it occurred to you that the one man who would be most qualified to make a judgement on Obama's constitutional eligibility to be President of the United States of America, who would also have an ax to grind with Obama was the one who SWORE HIM IN today?

A. If Obama is not a "natural born" citizen, it was an illegal oath (not to mention he didn't say it correctly -- as an alleged CONSTITUTIONAL LAW PROFESSOR, he should have at least recited the oath correctly, regardless of what CJ Roberts said -- in answer to professor70's question, it doesn't matter how many times he purports to take an illegal oath).

Q. Or did that one slip past you?

A. No.

Q. Your comments on "the liberal mainstream media" must mean that you are in favor of reinstating "the fairness doctrine?"

A. No.

Q: Do you think it was intentional, some kind of childish way of getting back at Obama?

It matter's because you have used case law and federal procedure examples as well as libertarian political ideology to substantiate your case against Obama's position as a natural-born citizen. That's all.

Now let me ask you this question JakeD: Cheif Justice Roberts improperly administered the Oath of Office of the President of the United States. Does this mean that Biden is still technically president? Should Obama have to redo it just as Coolidge did?

Cal's dad, a notary public, swore him in. And after some criticism was raised, he did over with a Supreme Court Justice.

No (his parents were BOTH citizens and of legal age, so he is considered a "natural born" citizen). Now, can you answer my question to you: "What does it matter what political party I belong to or if foreigners serve in the US Armed Forces without citizenship?"

"You are correct to note that CNN and the rest of the liberal mainstream media have simply dismissed any questions about Constitutional Qualifications...
Posted by: JakeD | January 20, 2009 6:34 PM"
---------
JakeD, has it occurred to you that the one man who would be most qualified to make a judgement on Obama's constitutional eligibility to be President of the United States of America, who would also have an ax to grind with Obama was the one who SWORE HIM IN today? Or did that one slip past you?

Also, re: your comments on "the liberal mainstream media" must mean that you are in favor of reinstating "the fairness doctrine?"

You are correct to note that CNN and the rest of the liberal mainstream media have simply dismissed any questions about Constitutional Qualifications -- I don't believe them about that, but there's no incentive for them to lie about Kennedy -- I will hug my wife just as soon as she gets home, thank you very much ; )

What does it matter what political party I belong to or if foreigners serve in the US Armed Forces without citizenship? Both are red herrings to the issue of "natural born" citizenship being required to become Commander in Chief.

For a guy so obsessed with detail, you're enjoying glossing over the facts. Here's the statement from Senator Kennedy's office - he had a seizure brought on by fatigue.

"Senator Edward Kennedy experienced a seizure today while attending a luncheon for President Barack Obama in the U.S. Capitol. After testing, we believe the incident was brought on by simple fatigue. Senator Kennedy is awake, talking with family and friends, and feeling well"

If you have a brain tumor, you can have seizures caused by over-exertion. No doubt walking around the Capitol and sitting outside in the cold weather was more exertion than Senator Kennedy may be used to at the moment.

And there's a difference between collapsing from fatigue and a grand mal seizure. If you've never seen the difference (especially when it happens to a family member or close friend), count yourself lucky.

McCain was not born in U.S. but in the Panama Canal Zone. I guess JakeD would also have wanted him removed from office.
And yes, Jake, we have let plenty of foreigners serve in the US Armed Forces without citizenship.

So Jake, go back to your hobby of reading old case law, and have mom bring a sandwich down to you in your basement bunker. Maybe at your next libertarian meeting you'll devise a way to bring back the gold standard.

I think the fundamental shift in the democratic party and the republican party over the last 10 years is the democratic party now isolates its 15% fringe retards to the sidelines and the republican party celebrates its 15% fringe retards. Just the opposite of the 80's and 90's. The posts on this blog show it clearly

My guess is that b*st*rd Sen. Cornyn was so upset about having to swallow the moment of the day, that he started talking about his plans to raise a fuss with Hillary about the Clinton foundation, while having lunch with Kennedy. You should have seen Fox covering it. Cornyn was talking about how much respect he has for Kennedy in one breath, and then talking about the need to look into the Clintons a bit more in the next. I wonder how all these *ssholes from Texas sleep at night.

As his first official action after being sworn in, President Barack Obama signed three documents Tuesday, including a proclamation declaring a day of national renewal and reconciliation.

Also signed by Obama were Cabinet and sub-Cabinet nominations. Those nominations will be presented to the Senate when it meets at 3 p.m. Tuesday, and are necessary before the full Senate can confirm the nominations, according to Senate staff members.

Does anyone at the WaPo know what the third document was? Reversing the Mexico-City policy? Closing Gitmo?

So, now you admit that it isn't the end of the discussion -- even if Obama was born in Hawaii, there are legal arguments against him being a "natural born" citizen -- have you read the Alan Keyes lawsuit?

Posted by: JakeD | January 20, 2009 5:01 PM
“For starters, his own grandmother stated that she was present when he was born in what is now Kenya -- -- which would be reflected on his LONG FORM birth certificate -- the fact that he won't just release that seems very curious. If he would simply do that, I would stop posting about it.”

Well I guess you can stop posting because congress and supreme court have accepted the fact that President Obama was born in Hawaii. So you’d better bring grandma in for questioning.

I agree that there may be a translation issue, but that's definitely not the only "proof" (as I was asked) nor the end of the discussion. For argument's sake, if he wasn't born in the United States, can we at least all agree that he is not qualified to become President?

That's a lot of questions. I would be happy to give you my best answers, just as soon as you answer my pending question to you: "perhaps you are wrong about Barack Obama being born in the United States too?"

his own grandmother stated that she was present when he was born in what is now Kenya

Actually, she stated this through an interpreter, but it appeared that something was lost in the translation. When she was asked again, and it was made sure she understood the question, she replied that he was NOT born there. End of discussion.

JakeD: I suppose you have proof that he wasn't? What do you have other than rumor and conspiracy theory? Why would our government allow a person who was not a natural born citizen to be elected president? Give me one good reason. What about all of those government officials who apposed Obama and backed McCain? Why didn't they produce some proof to prevent it from happening? Are you really telling me that no one had enough access to the data necessary to prove that someone was not born in the U.S.?

For starters, his own grandmother stated that she was present when he was born in what is now Kenya -- at the time, Hawaii allowed babies born out of the country to be registered in the State, which would be reflected on his LONG FORM birth certificate -- the fact that he won't just release that seems very curious. If he would simply do that, I would stop posting about it.

Obama's. You don't have to like his politics, but this is all pointless, as he was sworn in today.

Inside 2 hours, you've posted 11 times on this topic...and the first time was to bring up your bugbear of Obama's birth-certificate. So appropriate a comment on the seizure of Ted Kennedy.

Perhaps you could take all this energy and volunteer somewhere. You've indicated in other discussions that you're retired. You obviously have energy and intelligence - use it where it can help someone.

JakeD: I'm sorry, where did I say Washington was born in the US? I said it makes him just as natural born as someone who's family tree dates all the way back to Washington. Meaning, their family has been a resident of the United States as far back as when they were still called "These United States". Learn to read.

*sigh* As the sibling of someone who successfully survived a brain tumor, my heart goes out to the Kennedy family, despite my occasional distaste with their politics and lifestyle. Watching someone you care for have a seizure is a scary, horrible thing.

The only saving grace is that the press were not allowed in the room - I'm sure they would have filled the whole thing.

And hey - to steal a quote from Justice Scalia: Get over it. It's so old by now.

Whether or not you like his politics (I'm not thrilled with them, but they are more centrist and realistic than the GOP's view right now), if you don't get behind him instead of trying to pull him down, we're all screwed.

He was quoting Thomas Paine, and George Washington was NOT born in the United States -- he was born on February 22, 1732 in Westmoreland County, COLONY of Virginia, British America -- perhaps you are wrong about Barack Obama being born in the United States too?

you still here, JakieD, doesn't seem like a good investment of your time when just about everyone is ready to give Obama a chance, if only because the economy depends on government leadership now that your beloved mega-capitalism has self-destructed.

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TIMNGUYEN1: People like you make me scared for the future of this nation. Luckily, I have enough faith in the majority that they're not as ignorant as you few. Have you ever heard of a period? They really work wonders for ending a sentence before beginning another.

JakeD: You know, you're actually partially right. For about 7 minutes, Biden WAS president. Biden was sworn in before noon when Bush's term expired. Obama wasn't sworn in until about 12:07 (give or take). So from noon until Obama was sworn in, Biden was president. However, contrary to the conspiracy theories out there, Obama was born in the United States as a US citizen. Which makes him every bit as "natural born" as someone who's family traces back to Washington himself.

Although, I do find it interesting that Obama would quote Washington in his speech today. An African American president quoting a former slave owner may not sit well with some, even if he is one of our founding fathers. Don't get me wrong, I still think Washington was a great man, even if he was misguided on the whole slavery thing. No doubt we wouldn't be the nation we are today without him.

There is not a "fight" Obama with us of the GOP. There is a differing of opinions, and as such we would be wrong to ourselves not to oppose him. Since, when does opposing mean we are wrong? The press never let up on GW, why should anyone give Obama a free ride. Oh, that’s right, you destroyed the country with your trashing of GW, so we are suppose to trash and stop Obama. Get real. There are no "free" rides, meaning, he doesn't get a free ride. His policies are wrong, his ideas are wrong.
The cost of freedom is to always oppose those that would take freedom from you. No matter how they try to take those freedoms we stand against it. Hitler sounded great also, look what happened there. Obama reminds me of a TV preacher, lots of good material as long as the teleprompter is running.

Justice Holmes wrote of falsely shouting "fire", because, of course, if there were a fire in a crowded theater, one may rightly indeed shout "Fire!"; one may, depending on the law in operation, even be obliged to. Falsely shouting "Fire!" in a crowded theater, i.e. shouting "Fire!" when one believes there to be no fire in order to cause panic, was interpreted not to be protected by the First Amendment.

Schenck was later limited by Brandenburg v. Ohio, which ruled that speech could only be banned when it was directed to and likely to incite imminent lawless action (e.g. a riot), the test which remains until this day. Despite Schenck being limited, the phrase "shouting fire in a crowded theater" has since come to be known as synonymous with an action that the speaker believes goes beyond the rights guaranteed by free speech, reckless or malicious speech, or an action whose outcomes are blatantly obvious.

Jacob Hornberger of the Future of Freedom Foundation, a libertarian think tank, has stated that in most cases free speech issues in the U.S. depend upon whose property one is on at the time. If someone falsely shouted "fire" and created a stampede which was clearly against the wishes of a theatre owner's policy of conduct, then the theatre owner would be within his rights to prepare charges against the agitator. If, however, the theatre owner decided it would be good for business to have patrons yell "Fire! Fire!" whenever they felt like it, then he would be within his rights to do so.

The comedian Steven Wright remarked that he likes to "shout 'Fire!' in an empty theater".

The comedian Steve Martin has asked if it is alright to yell "Movie!" in a crowded firehouse.

Two of the frailest members of Congress took a bite of the "Polonium Special" and became ill..Perhaps others got zapped, though I saw no such urgency to lock the area down as would be warranted, Congress still very much owned by CIA/Mossad NWO mafias..

Well, after reading the comments on this page I'd say that bipartisanship is already dead in the water, big surprise. Let's face it, the cons hate the libs and vice versa, to such a degree that even in our current dire straits agreement between the two will be virtually impossible. One side blames Clinton for the lack of civilized discourse while the other blames George W. The GOP will fight Obama at every turn because they don't want him to succeed, it reflects badly on them. Well, I want him to succeed, mightily, damn your reflection. The result of his failure is too depressing to consider. If the GOP wants us to fail and go under in the next few years, then please proceed straight to where the sun don't shine because I don't feel like listening to your Rush O'Hannity influenced spiel any longer. Oh, and Jake D., why don't you go buy Anne Coulter's new book and get some new material for yourself. Your talking points are so yesterday.

DO NOT LISTEN TO WHAT BARACK OBAMA SAYS, BUT CAREFULLY WATCH WHAT HE DOES !!!

Barack Obama is the greatest liar in history (no wonder he is an excellent lawyer!) During his campaign, he told lots of hope in future for America if he was elected, but now he warns Americans of oncoming darker economy and not to put too much hope in his promises. He promises a big plan to reduce budget deficit but his inauguration ceremony this January will be the most costly in history (50 millions) while the nation is in deep depression, as well as his presidential campaign (600 millions), which was far more than his opponent John McCain's. He swears to clean up Washington DC, but he failed to first clean up his homestate Illinois, one of the most corrupt state with the scandal of Governor Rod Blagojevich, who greatly helped Obama to win his state senate seat in 1996, 1998, and 2002. And his favorite slogan is "Yes, we CAN", yet he himself CANNOT quit smoking at all !!! (Each year about 1.3 million American smokers quit successfully).

JakeD, do you have a collection of tinfoil hats that you rotate, or do you just wear the same one until it falls apart? I guess that if this is the theme that you want to focus on for the next 4-8 years go ahead, but don't you ever get tired of hearing the crazy nonsense over and over and over?